Snow cleanup continues as spring arrives

Residents dig out after several inches of snow fall

Granite Staters on the first day of spring were still digging out from a winter storm that left more than a foot of snow in some parts of the state.

Several inches of snow fell across New Hampshire on Tuesday, and many residents were still cleaning up Wednesday morning. In New Boston, Rick Kohler was clearing snow from his roof.

"If it starts melting and we get cold nights, it will ice up and back up under the shingles, and then I'm replacing Sheetrock, and that's not the spring project I want," he said.

Residents of neighboring Francestown were also cleaning up from more than a foot of snow. Resident Paul St. Cyr said the consistency of the snow varied during the storm.

"A combination of light in the beginning, heavy in the middle and light now," he said.

Walking behind his snowblower, Francestown resident Peter Bixby said he didn't think it was so light as he worked to clear his walk and driveway.

"You've got to take it slow and easy," he said. "I think I'm going to take a break for a cup of coffee right now."

The snow was perfect for one New Hampshire industry. At Crotched Mountain ski area, officials said 6 feet of snow has fallen since February, making for perfect conditions on the slopes as the season nears the end.

"If you look around you now, it doesn't look anything like spring skiing, and the temperatures look like they're going to hang where they should to keep this pretty pristine," said John Young, group sales director for Crotched Mountain.

Just up the road at Crotched Mountain Golf Course, workers had a different opinion. Matthew Bradbury, the head golf pro, was wielding a shovel instead of his irons. He said the weather is quite different than it was a year ago.

"We were open March 19 last year," he said. "We had some great weather and were very blessed with a short winter. This winter, not so much. We're going to have to buckle down and get to work on the course pretty quick."

The weather is forecast to be cool for the next few days but will gradually warm into the weekend, when high temperatures should reach the mid-40s.

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